3M Cloud Library Adds eAudiobooks

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"3M’s Innovative Model for Consortium: CloudLink"

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M Library Systems announces the launch of the newest innovation to its 3M
Cloud Library Digital Lending System—eAudiobooks. Debuting with
40,000 titles powered by Findaway World, a premier provider of digital
audiobook technology and delivery, the 3M Cloud Library will have an
extensive collection of high quality eAudio titles. 3M will detail the
new offerings at the Public Library Association (PLA) 2014 Conference,
March 11-15 in Indianapolis, Ind.

The addition of eAudiobooks to the 3M Cloud Library will be a seamless
transition for both readers and librarians, with the existing apps
updated and optimized to include discovery, checkout and listening
capabilities. As always, patrons only need to register to use the 3M
Cloud Library through their local library the first time they sign in.
Every eAudio title will be compatible on all devices using 3M Cloud
Library applications, users will not have to differentiate which formats
work on which devices. Once the eAudiobook is checked out, users can
immediately start listening. Also for the user’s benefit, eAudiobooks
are automatically bookmarked across the Cloud and available across all
devices.

Titles from Findaway World are professionally engineered, enabling the
highest-quality listening experience for users. Through Findaway World,
3M will have content from every major publisher in the Audiobook space.

To introduce the new eAudiobook content, 3M will be giving away earbuds
to anyone who attends a presentation at its booth, number 1303, on
Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14. In addition to receiving free
earbuds, booth presentation attendees will also be entered to win a pair
of Beats by Dr. Dre® Special Edition Ellen Wireless
headphones, as featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Presentations will include:

Heather McCormack, collection development manager for 3M Cloud Library,
speaking on “A Unique Approach to Collection Development,” and the
benefits of curated lists;

“Driving Circulation Through the 3M Cloud Library,” which shows how
adding the 3M Cloud Library grows your digital circulation faster than
with a single platform; and

“3M’s Innovative Model for Consortium: CloudLink” a system designed to
help drive circulation with title sharing across a consortium. The first
consortium to implement this system saw eBook check-outs increase 67
percent during its first quarter, while holds decreased by 25 percent.

Another improvement to the Cloud Library is the recent expansion of
automated buying tools, which allow librarians to purchase hold lists
automatically and easily manage all expiry content. This fully
customizable tool helps reduce the time required from library staff to
manage their collections.

“We continue to listen to the needs of public libraries and focus our
development efforts to create the best platform for Public Libraries and
their customers,” said Tom Mercer, Marketing Manager, 3M Cloud Library.

Also at PLA, the 3M SelfCheck QuickConnect Interface will show a new way
to reach library customers at the self-checkout, where libraries could
create hundreds of thousands more reading recommendations to their
customers every year.* PLA visitors who attend a demo of the new
interface will receive a complimentary Random House title, with a choice
of “The Accident” by Chris Pavone or “The Weight of Blood” by Laura
McHugh.

*Numbers vary based on circulations, self-checkout usage and
programmed number of recommendations.3M is a trademark of
3M Company.Used under license in Canada. Beats by Dr. Dre is a
registered trademark of Beats Electronics, LLC.

About 3M Library SystemsThe
global leader in library innovation for more than 40 years, 3M is
committed to helping libraries connect with the diverse and rapidly
evolving communities they serve. 3M’s eBook lending, security, and
productivity solutions give librarians the flexibility to spend more
time doing what they do best – helping people. Visit www.3M.com/us/library
and follow us on Twitter (@3MLibrary) and Facebook.

About 3M3M captures the spark
of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products.
Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of
powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation
company that never stops inventing. With $31 billion in sales, 3M
employs 89,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 70
countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com
or follow @3MNews
on Twitter.